The NIHR Palliative Care Research Incubator, in partnership with the Sawubona group, is hosting a virtual half-day event on community researchers in palliative and end-of-life care research on Thursday 15 October 2026, 09:30–12:30. Community researchers — people recruited from, and trusted within, their own communities — are one of the most effective routes to ensuring research reaches populations that have historically been under-served by it. The morning will set out why community researcher models matter for equity in palliative and end-of-life care, share practical guidance on recruiting, training, paying and supporting community researchers, and give space to hear directly from community researchers themselves about their experiences and priorities. Participants will leave with approaches they can apply to their own studies, and with opportunities for future collaboration, mentorship and network development.
The event is for anyone involved in palliative and end-of-life care research who wants to work more equitably with under-served communities. This includes researchers at any career stage, from PhD students and research assistants through to senior investigators; PPIE and community engagement leads; research delivery and clinical research staff; and community researchers themselves, along with colleagues from community and voluntary sector organisations. No prior experience of working with community researchers is assumed — the session will be equally useful to those planning a first study and to those strengthening an existing approach.
Event Objectives
● Understand the importance of community researchers in palliative and end-of-life care research.
● Explore practical examples of inclusive and equitable research practice.
● Learn approaches for effectively supporting and working with community researchers.
● Hear directly from community researchers about their experiences and priorities.
● Identify opportunities for future collaboration, mentorship and network development.
Programme
09:30–09:40 Welcome and Introductions — Sabrina Bajwah
● Welcome
● Overview of the Incubator, the partnership with Sawubona, and the aims of the event
● Housekeeping and outline of the morning
09:40–10:00 Why Community Researchers Matter in Palliative and End-of-Life Care Research — Sabrina Bajwah
● Equity and inclusion in research participation
● Addressing barriers to engagement with underserved communities
● Lessons from recent EDI work — the RTE model and national research initiatives
10:00–10:45 Practical Guidance for Researchers — Zoebia Islam and community researcher (TBC)
Drawing on EBCA work and co-designed training.
● How to work effectively with community researchers
● Building equitable partnerships with organisations and CICs
● Payment, support and recognition
● Training and mentorship approaches
● Ethical and practical considerations
Facilitated panel discussion and audience Q&A
10:45–11:00 Break
11:00–11:45 Examples of Good Practice: Community Researcher Models in Action — Catriona Mayland and Rukia Saleem (community researcher)
● Case study presentations from existing studies
● Co-produced community engagement approaches
● Recruitment and trust-building
● Impact on research quality and inclusion
● Experiences of working within research teams, and what supports meaningful involvement
● Barriers, opportunities, and recommendations for researchers and institutions
Facilitated panel discussion and audience Q&A
11:45–12:25 Future Priorities and Open Discussion — All
Panel discussion.
● Building a sustainable community researcher network
● Mentorship opportunities
● Training needs
● Future collaborations across palliative and end-of-life care research
12:25–12:30 Reflections and Key Takeaways — Sabrina Bajwah
● Summary of key messages
● Opportunities for continued involvement
● Next steps and future activities